How To Best Clean My Apple??

I am sure I am not the only one who has wondered lately if they are properly cleaning their fruits and veggies. I am hesitant to admit this, but I have actually washed my apples with dish soap.

I would rather risk soap, than some bacteria. (I just rinsed extremely well). I have also wondered about the veggie rinses available at the local markets. After a bit of research, I have found that vinegar diluted with water is a great home made solution for smooth skinned fruits and vegetables.

Mix:

1 c vinegar to 3 parts water in a spray bottle.

An apple or pear would require about 6 squirts, and a final rinse of cold water.

In a study conducted by Cook's Illustrated and broadcasted by NPR, @ http:/www.npr.org, in a piece titled "What Does It Take to Clean Fresh Food", they found the vinegar rinse to be the most effective of the 4 techniques they tried:

1. Anti bac soap- not recommended. (I never used anti-bac)

2. Vinegar rinse (above recipe) & cold water rinse to follow. Removed 98% of the bacteria, in about 30 seconds.

3. Scrubbing fruit with a scrub brush. Removed 85% of the bacteria.

4. Cold water rinse. Water can remove 98% of bacteria if used to rinse and soak the produce.

This can be an effective solution for not so smooth produce. You could even add vinegar to the soak. Can we ever be to careful?

Smells Like Home!

I love this time of year!

It's all I can do to not start decorating for Christmas! Don't worry, the Christmas music has surfaced!

One of my favorite friends introduced me to this stovetop potpourri, it is amazing!

1 orange- cut up

3-4 cinnamon sticks

2-3 bay leaves

1/4-1/2 cup whole cloves

Add above ingredients to a saucepan, with plenty of water. Bring to a boil.

Reduce to simmer. Add water as needed! You can mix it up depending on the season. A citrus variety is great for Spring/ Summer. This is also a great gift. I put everything in to a cellophane bag, (just leave the orange whole). be sure to include the instructions.

Enjoy!

Clean and Fresh

This laundry tip may seem obvious, but I will share anyway... Always leave the washer lid/door ajar. We don't want a dark, damp environment in our washers, not to mention the odors that come with it. If your washer has a less than pleasant odor, run the washer empty, on hot and add 1 cup vinegar. I do this occasionally regardless, in my dishwasher also. The vinegar cleans the

residue from the pipes.

Life is what happens while you are busy doing other things!

Wow!! How is it August??

I am still making, using and selling laundry soap, I just haven't attended many Farmer's Markets ... at least as a vendor.

It has been a busy year!

Our son, Rex returned in April, from serving a two year mission for our church , The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he served in Russia. His return brought much enthusiasm for places like Disney World, Jackson Hole and just down time together as a family.

Our daughter Emiley announced her engagement to Josh...who is awesome by the way, the same month, so... We had a beautiful July wedding in the Salt Lake City temple.

School is now back in session, and I have been contacted by some of my favorite long distance friends, who are wondering why they STILL cannot acquire pure laundry soap with the push of a button. Those of you who know me the best, know exactly why, although I have many creative juices flowing through my body at any given time... I have zero technical ones. I know it is sad.

I will enlist the help of my sweet, patient husband, or my very technically inclined, and also very patient, sister in law Sarah who has been the master mind of much of what you see on Pure Laundry today, including our new fancy button. Thanks Sarah!!

I have decided to offer random laundry tips. I would also love to hear your favorite tips also. Please share!

Today's tip:

Keep a bottle of your favorite dish washing liquid handy to pre-treat food stains. Just dab a bit on and toss it in the washer.

I always prefer the brands that do not contain phosphates etc.